Getting to Nelson

Are you in a hurry? Or are you content to take the scenic route? There are a number of choices when planning your arrival in Nelson.

Driving: Nelson is situated at the junction of provincial Highway 3A and Highway 6. By highway, Nelson is located 663 km from Vancouver (an eight hour drive), 624 km from Calgary (an eight hour drive), 340 km from Kelowna (four hour drive) and 237 km from Spokane (a three and a half hour drive). Check out the current road reports for driving conditions. Also calculate your exact driving time with BC Distance Calculator.

Airports: Air Canada offers daily flights from Vancouver and Calgary into Castlegar Regional Airport ,which is 40 kilometers away from Nelson. Shuttle service by Queen City Shuttle and Charters is available but should be prebooked. Budget and National Car rentals are available at the Airport.

Kelowna Airport is another choice for international travelers. Car rentals are available at the airport; the driving distance to Nelson is four hours.

Buses: Greyhound offers bus service from all major cities and towns. Buses from Calgary and Vancouver take approximately 12 hours to get to Nelson.

Ferry: The Kootenay Lake Ferry takes you across Kootenay Lake, 35 km east of Nelson on Highway 3A between Balfour (west side) and Kootenay Bay (east side), 70 km from Creston on Highway 3A. The crossing time is 35 minutes.